Ulster 2014/2015

First topic message reminder :

Details of pre-season games to confirmed- we take on Exeter Chiefs at Ravenhill on Friday the 22nd August and then travel to Donnybrook to face Leinster on Friday the 29th August. On the transfer front, it seems like our business for the year is concluded. Second row looks strong and our back line is stronger than ever, but there are concerns about our depth in the front row and back row of the pack. A lot depends on Wiehahn Herbst turning out to be a hit and Chris Henry staying fit- our decision to spend a valuable NIQ spot on Louis Ludik and Sean Doyles departure leaves us exposed at open side with two new, extremely untested players in Reidy and Butterworth vying to be Henrys understudy. Rob Herring is another player who needs to avoid injury at all costs. Niall Annett has been allowed to leave along with Brady in recent seasons and the 3rd choice hooker is not obvious. With seedings in Europe determined by league performance, Ulster may very well rue their lack of depth in the forward pack come May.

Players Out
Johann Muller (retired), Paddy Wallace (retired), Stephen Ferris (retired), Chris Cochrane (retired), Chris Farrell (Grenoble), Niall Annett (Worcester), John Afoa (Gloucester), Tom Court (London Irish), James McKinney (Rotherham), David McIlwaine (Rotherham), Paddy McAllister (Aurillac), Sean Doyle (ACT Brumbies), Adam Macklin (Rotherham), Ian Porter (Connacht)

Players In
Franco van der Merwe (Golden Lions), Louis Ludik (Agen), Wiehahn Herbst (Natal Sharks), Ruaidhrí Murphy (ACT Brumbies), Dave Ryan (Zebre), Ian Humphreys (London Irish), Charlie Butterworth (Lansdowne), Sean Reidy (Counties Manukau)

Ulster don't do turbulent off seasons but if we did...

We've also been rocked with the seismic revelation David Humphreys is leaving the province- indeed has already left- for Gloucester. Anscombe was slated to be seeing out the last year of his contract before being quietly let go but the Humphreys bombshell left him as the odd man out, and he's been pushed out the door. The decision was partly because he was hired to work under a Director of Rugby and Ulster are looking for someone with more experience in the market to take on Humphreys role in addition to the coaching responsibilities. As usual, the rumour mill is on overdrive and opinions are polarised- but this is Ulster Rugby after all. Les Kiss is our interim Director of Rugby and it seems Allen Clarke is filling the role of forwards coach in the short term. More changes or appointments could be forthcoming.

If all that wasn't enough we've been dealt a real group of death in the new Champions Cup- double-winners Toulon will brave the Ravenhill roar along with old friends Leicester Tigers and old foes the Scarlets. All in all, this team should be capable of securing a Top 4 finish at the very least in the Pro12 and we need to target the top two, our prospects in Europe look more occluded- it might come down to best runners-up and our pool promises to be tight and competitive.

Opening fixtures

F; Exeter Chiefs (H)
F; Leinster (A)

Pro12; Scarlets (A)
Pro12; Zebre (H)
Pro12; Cardiff Blues (A)
Pro12; Zebre (A)
Pro12; Edinburgh (H)

Just be told, by an official source, that an announcement re sponsorship is expected soon.

No one telling me who though

Ask them if it rhymes with the name of a movie about an alien who phoned home....   

Is that sponsorship for Ulster or sponsorship for the league?

Rodders you are BT obsessed

Maybe the sponsor's name rhymes with Inspector Clouseau's manservant

Pete330v2 wrote:Maybe the sponsor's name rhymes with Inspector Clouseau's manservant

Inspector Clouseau had a manservant called Deineken?   

Notch wrote:Is that sponsorship for Ulster or sponsorship for the league?

The former spreading to the latter when a few more wheels have been greased.

Naming rights for ravers too.

Notch wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:Maybe the sponsor's name rhymes with Inspector Clouseau's manservant

Inspector Clouseau had a manservant called Deineken?   

I like what ya did there Notch

"Kingspan Stadium".

That's just weird.

Can't see it catching in truth which is good. Still a massive amount of righteous indignation on bake book though

I'm sure. What I do like about it is that's local, though. It is an Ulster company. It's not BT or Aviva or Nestle.

Still.

Agreed Don. If it had to happen then it's as good as we could have hoped for really.

Kingspan...meh. Will always be Ravenhill to me, although i would have been happy enough with Tayto. Sadly not to be   

Not looking a gift horse in the mouth though. Big thanks to Kingspan for their involvement with Ulster Rugby over the years, and for this recent investment   

Don't think the words 'Kingspan Stadium' will be passing my lips, thanks for the cash though.

It's a real shame to take the joy out of the new facilities with this move. You might be able to recognise the necessity, but emotionally it's never going to feel right. Pretty annoyed at the lack of Ravenhill in the new name. Would the 'Kingspan Ravenhill Stadium' be such a compromise?

Don Alfonso wrote:"Kingspan Stadium".

That's just weird.

  

Notch wrote:Don't think the words 'Kingspan Stadium' will be passing my lips, thanks for the cash though.

Go back in time a few years, you could substitute "Kingspan" for "Aviva".

Kingspan Stadium   

Notch wrote:Don't think the words 'Kingspan Stadium' will be passing my lips, thanks for the cash though.

It's a real shame to take the joy out of the new facilities with this move. You might be able to recognise the necessity, but emotionally it's never going to feel right. Pretty annoyed at the lack of Ravenhill in the new name. Would the 'Kingspan Ravenhill Stadium' be such a compromise?

Ulster Rugby won't care a toss if the punters still call it Ravenhill, all they will care about is that the media - especially radio and TV dutifully refer to it as Kingspan Stadium. Just as the IRFU and FAI don't care if the punters still refer to Lansdowne - all they want is that the media use Aviva Stadium. In Dublin, I still don't know anybody who goes to gigs at the 02 - most people I know still call it the Point, and as for the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, most people still seem to call it the Grand Canal Theatre.

Interesting to see what happens now with Thomond and RDS naming rights - any indication yet how much Kingspan are paying for their 10-year naming rights for Ravenhill.

Twill always be Ravenhill but this, as has been said, is a local company who have been involved with Ulster Rugby for a long time already so I do not begrudge them the naming rights at all.

brennomac wrote:

Ulster Rugby won't care a toss if the punters still call it Ravenhill, all they will care about is that the media - especially radio and TV dutifully refer to it as Kingspan Stadium.  Just as the IRFU and FAI don't care if the punters still refer to Lansdowne - all they want is that the media use Aviva Stadium.  In Dublin, I still don't know anybody who goes to gigs at the 02 - most people I know still call it the Point, and as for the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, most people still seem to call it the Grand Canal Theatre.

Interesting to see what happens now with Thomond and RDS naming rights - any indication yet how much Kingspan are paying for their 10-year naming rights for Ravenhill.

Maybe its an age thing but I havent heard 'The Point' in a couple of years similar enough with Bord Gais Theatre.

The vast majority of people I know also refer to Lansdowne as 'the Aviva' myself included even though I told myself it would always be Lansdowne.

Is it going to be Kingspan Ravenhill Stadium or just Kingspan stadium?

Stephen Ferris going back to school?

http://balls.ie/rugby/internet-asks-stephen-ferris-dressed-school-girl-paddy-jackson-delivers/

Kinspan Park wouldn't sound as contrived as the kingspan stadium.

1. 'And next week it's Ulster who host Munster at the Kingspan Stadium'

2. 'And next week it's Ulster who host Munster at Kingspan Park'

3. 'And next week it's Ulster who host Munster at fortress Ravenhill'

Which one sounds the most scceptable

Pete330v2 wrote:Kinspan Park wouldn't sound as contrived as the kingspan stadium.

1. 'And next week it's Ulster who host Munster at the Kingspan Stadium'

2. 'And next week it's Ulster who host Munster at Kingspan Park'

3. 'And next week it's Ulster who host Munster at fortress Ravenhill'

Which one sounds the most scceptable

Not sure but it would be handy if we could wangle 3 home fixtures against Munster in a row alright.

Pete330v2 wrote:

1. 'And next week it's Ulster who host Munster at the Kingspan Stadium'

2. 'And next week it's Ulster who host Munster at Kingspan Park'

3. 'And next week it's Ulster who host Munster at fortress Ravenhill'

I think Munster would win at all three.  

Munster??

Who's Munster?

Scrumpy wrote:

Pete330v2 wrote:

1. 'And next week it's Ulster who host Munster at the Kingspan Stadium'

2. 'And next week it's Ulster who host Munster at Kingspan Park'

3. 'And next week it's Ulster who host Munster at fortress Ravenhill'

I think Munster would win at all three.  

You do realise Munster have won just 1 of their last 7 visits to Ravenhill?

If you want to wind people up it pays to check your facts first.   

Just saying it doesn't really matter what the stadium is called!

Some of you are just so negative, lighten up its Friday.  

The name change will only occur in the media, although I think even a few of the media guys will find it hard to mutter anything other than Ravenhill. The fans will still refer to their home as it's always been, it's Ravenhill and it's ours Kingspan

I mean if Heinekin had got the rights or tayto, no bother, free beer or crisps. What will Kingspan offer us? Sample pads of new insulation

I'm totally light dude. I was even laughing at you.

Thats all well and good then.

What the feck is Kingspan anyway, it sounds like a cheap brand of condoms you get in £ stores.

Pete330v2 wrote:The name change will only occur in the media, although I think even a few of the media guys will find it hard to mutter anything other than Ravenhill. The fans will still refer to their home as it's always been, it's Ravenhill and it's ours Kingspan

I mean if Heinekin had got the rights or tayto, no bother, free beer or crisps. What will Kingspan offer us? Sample pads of new insulation

Don't knock it,if your ever building a house you'll be glad of it.Jeez when I think of the amount of money I spent on that stuff and it stuck in walls and buried under concrete.I know it's there for a reason but holy crap it takes a big bite out of your budget.

One of the world's largest sustainable building products manufacturers.

Great sponsor for Ulster as it is based in one of the 3 Ulster counties in the Republic of Ireland. Helps push that aspect of Ulster Rugby (9 counties)

They also sponsor Brefini Park home of the Cavan GAA team.

I also think it is good to have sponsorship from a business built from the ground up in Ulster by an Ulsterman rather that a big soulless international insurance company like the palindrome in Lansdowne rd

Wtf?

http://www.ulsterrugby.com/News/LatestNews/TabId/149/ArtMID/793/ArticleID/1561/David-Humphreys-to-leave-Ulster-Rugby.aspx

Where now? What does this mean for the signings we still need to make?

Geoff - do you have any inkling what this is about?

It can only be bad.

Somebody on another forum saying Glaws simply offered him twice his salary at Ulster.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/27748254 well it was all confirmed David is away, firstly I just want to say thanks for the last few years David and all the best at Glouchester but I have to say this was a complete shock any idea on who might replace him?

WTF??? Just saw this news and came straight here.

Really really shocked.   

Even those you think bleed ulster rugby can be tempted by big money. Can't help but feel there's something more to this...

I must admitt I am completely shocked. I take it this even came as a shock to UR. We are going to need someone who is as astute in getting players in and retaining their services. Big boots to fill.

Am I right in saying that Humphries was responsible for some duties that a coach usuallly does. Is it possible, Anscombe's successor is line up, and that person has made demands on his input.

Can't help but feel that the Doc wouldn't have left unless he circumstances meant he had to.

I'll remember David Humphreys as a player fondly, but he's really shafted us here. No real warning even for Shane Logan who I think found out today.

Clive I think the reason is a big shedload of PRL cash. Wouldn't read much more into it than that.

The PRL won't have spent any of their cash on Humphreys. Gloucester may well have spent a good wedge of their own however. Gloucester are planning for a big return next season there's a great chance for someone to take the reigns there and accomplish things.

Blow for Ulster. Anscombe should keep your team ticking along and with the RWC is still a year away and that's the que for the big player sale so you shouldn't have lost too much back room info.

Humphreys is saying that he accepted the offer for career reasons. I think he owes it to the Ulster fans to at least be honest and say 'hey, these guys offered me a shedload of cash and I couldn't say no'. On one level it is disappointing that someone who is synonymous with Ulster rugby turned out to be a mercenary, but I guess he has to think about his and his family's financial security.

Mercenary?

Seriously?

This guy has dragged Ulster up from the most horrendous pit of a mess which the previous management had dug us into.

He was responsible for the most impressive signings we will probably ever see.

Maybe he feels he has put us in the best place he can and it is time for different challenge? I would hope that Gloucester know what a star they are getting and are renumerating him appropriately.

Good Luck Davy. You have done an amazing job!

Right davey, what IQ backrow did you score us as your final act at Ulster? Hope its a good one!

Massive shock!

Money corrupts. DH is a smart man... His stock is at an all time high, if Ulster don't win anything in a couple of years it will be questioned a failure. Bowe is 30, Best 31, Trimby 30, Henry 30... Maybe DH thinks we have peaked and he wants maximum return from his stock

Id also suggest that maybe humph realised signings this year and last werent hugely successful, and decided to cash in while he could still be seen as successful re muller pienaar afoa and payne.

Im not c0nvinced he will bring a huge amount of success to Glaws.

Pity Eddie O has gone to Biarritz

Eddie O could not cope at Ulster!

He would cry every week when he realised he would HAVE to select Ulstermen!

Mercenary? Yes, as he has apparently accepted a move to a lesser club as they can afford to pay him a lot more than Ulster can. Do I blame him for that? No, he has to think about how he is going to pay the mortgage and put his kids through uni, etc. I genuinely wish him all the best, but it would be refreshing to hear someone actually be honest and admit that they moved for the cash. I mean, if he had taken the top job at Toulon, Leicester or a Super 15 franchise, I could accept the career enhancement spiel...but Gloucester?